Fox Comes Down On Both Sides

U.S. Rep. Jon Fox has once again come down on both sides of an issue, this time on U.S. aid to international family planning agencies.

Last February, Rep. Fox supported funding to international family planning agencies

and opposed efforts led by anti-abortion activists to block such funding for agencies who promote or perform abortions. I agree with Mr. Fox's pro-choice position of last February, although the Congressman was strongly criticized by local anti-choice leaders.

But now Rep. Fox has changed his position. On Thursday, Sept. 4, Mr. Fox voted with the House majority to adopt new restrictions on U.S. aid to international family planning agencies, barring any funds to such organizations if they promote or perform abortions, even if they use their own money to do so.

I know that Congress faces difficult issues, and it is not possible to please everyone when tough votes must be cast. But Rep. Fox doesn't do anyone any good when he continues to vote on both sides of tough issues as he did on this issue.

JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP

(The writer was the unsuccessful Democratic challenger to Rep. Fox in the 1996 election. Editor)